3 Killed in Wrong-Way Crash

A woman with an open container of alcohol in her car drove the wrong way on a Riverside County highway early Sunday and collided head-on with another automobile, killing herself and two people in the other vehicle, authorities reported.

Officers said they have yet to determine whether intoxication played a part in the accident.

The crash occurred about 5:45 a.m. in the northbound lanes of Interstate 215 near Perris, about 20 miles southeast of Riverside, the California Highway Patrol said.

A fourth person received severe head injuries and was airlifted to Riverside General Medical Center. The driver of a third car involved in the crash escaped injury.

The Riverside County coroner’s office identified the victims as Lillian Marie Hunt, 43, of Temecula, and Adam R. Granillo, 20, and Shane M. Barkman, 20, both of Moreno Valley.

Authorities said the injured person, an 18-year-old woman whose name was not released, was listed in critical condition.

Investigators said Hunt was alone, traveling south in the northbound lanes of the I-215 near California 74 when her 1996 Toyota Camry struck Barkman’s 1986 Honda Accord. A third car then struck the Accord from behind, officers said.

The Accord’s front-seat passenger struck the windshield and Granillo was killed riding in the back seat of the Accord, the CHP said. Hunt, Barkman and Granillo were pronounced dead at the scene.